Uncovering the Chemical Shift Behind Long COVID and Potential Treatment

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have suggested that reduced levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, memory, sleep, digestion, blood clotting, and sexual desire, might explain the lingering symptoms of long COVID. Their analysis revealed that levels of serotonin were altered right after a coronavirus infection, but in people with long COVID, serotonin was the only molecule that did not recover to pre-infection levels. Lowered levels of serotonin disrupt the vagus nerve system, leading to memory problems and other cognitive issues. Researchers are planning a clinical trial to test fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), to potentially restore vagal signals and improve memory and cognition in long COVID patients.